Man-to-Mason One Day Adventure

The Man-to-Mason One Day Adventure is now history, and by all accounts it was a resounding success. Nearly 4000 new members joined Freemasonry on October 2, 2004 at one of the thirteen established locations. Combined with the more than 2,500 candidates who were initiated this year using the traditional process, this will be the first time in may years that our total membership has grown. But don't be mistaken-this isn't all about the numbers. The significance of the One Day Class is reflected in the quality Masons, now our brothers, who otherwise may never have joined the Fraternity. Society has changed, and Freemasonry must adapt to the world in which it wants to be an influential part.
Each venue followed the same schedule in conferring all three of the Blue Lodge Degrees, and offering the optional 32nd Degree and the Shrine Ceremonial to those who wanted to join the Scottish Rite and the Shrine.
Upon arrival, every candidate and member shared their credentials in order to gain admission.
A namebadge helped to identify who was supposed to attend which events.
Each candidate had the opportunity to register for the Scottish Rite or Shrine if they hadn't pre-registered for either one.
Then each candidate was given a commemorative leather apron to wear for the day.
A packet of educational materials, including a special personal Masonic Bible containing the King James Bible and the complete text of "The Exemplar" by William A. Carpenter, RWPGM, was given to each candidate.
Many volunteers participated in the day at registration desks, on degree teams, as ushers, as stewards, and as candidate mentors.
A social time for coffee and doughnuts preceded the opening of the program.
A Grand Lodge Officer was placed in charge of each venue by the Right Worshipful Grand Master, who was able to travel to Philadelphia, Harrisburg and Pittsburgh.
The Mentors received final instructions prior to the opening of the program.
In Harrisburg, the floor of the Zembo Shrine Center and the first two rows of the balcony were needed to accommodate all of the candidates and their mentors.
Top-notch degree teams like this one conferred each of the Lodge degrees under that direction of an Instructor of the Ritualistic Work.
Remarking on the success of the day, Grand Master Slater said, "October 2nd was the epitome of teamwork, brotherhood, outreach and cooperation. Let us sustain and intensify the spirit of that day as we look ahead to what we can accomplish together in 2005."



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